Queen Camilla tells Gisele Pelicot she has been left ‘speechless’ by the horrors the French rape survivor endured at the hands of her husband
Queen Camilla told French rape survivor Gisele Pelicot she had been left ‘speechless’ by both her bravery and the extent of the abuse committed against her as the two women met on Monday.
Her Majesty, a long-term campaigner on the issue of violence against women, invited Mme Pelicot for tea at Clarence House to discuss a new memoir she has written about her shocking case.
Ms Pelicot’s ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, was jailed for 20 years for drugging and raping her and allowing other men to assault her while she was unconscious, in a catalogue of abuse which lasted nearly a decade.
The 73-year-old, who bravely waived her right to anonymity as a survivor of sexual assault, said shame should fall on her abusers, not herself.
A staggering fifty men were found guilty of rape or sexual offences after a three-and-a-half-month trial in Avignon, which ended in December 2024.
Camilla, 77, met with Mme Pelicot at her official London residence as the campaigner’s UK tour promoting the book drew to close.
She told her guest she read the memoir in just two days, unable to put it down.
During their 30-minute meeting the royal said: ‘I read it in the last two days, I couldn’t put it down.
Queen Camilla (left) told French rape survivor Gisele Pelicot (right) she was left ‘speechless’ by her bravery and the extent her abuse as they met on Monday
Her Majesty (left) invited Mme Pelicot (right) for tea at Clarence House to discuss Mme Pelicot’s new memoir written about her shocking case
The Queen (left) also wrote to Mme Pelicot (right) privately last year to express her ‘heartfelt admiration’ for her ‘extraordinary dignity and courage’
‘I’ve met so many survivors of rape and sexual abuse I never thought I could be shocked by anything any more, but I was shocked at your case – it left me speechless.’
The Queen also wrote to her privately last year to express her ‘heartfelt admiration’ for her ‘extraordinary dignity and courage.’
Mme Pelicot recently revealed details of the letter for the first time, saying it left her ‘overwhelmed.’ It is now framed in her office, she said.
The launch of Hymn to Life: Shame Has to Change Sides, was held at London’s Royal Festival Hall on Friday, with readings given by Hollywood actresses Kate Winslet, Dame Kristin Scott Thomas and Juliet Stevenson.
